On a Sunny Day in May of 2022, the 11th to be exact around 3 o’clock in the afternoon on a road named Oak Grove my friends Kenderrius Dodson and Kendarius Jackson, along with two other school mates (Katrina Owens & Jordan Brown) were killed in a car accident. There was one survivor who has returned to school. Kenderrius, the driver was just 16 years old and had only been driving for less than 6 months. His parents had shadowed him up until a couple of weeks before the accident. As in most young adult cases, speeding and a curve in the road he wasn’t familiar with played the factor. His Altima left the road and landed in a yard after taking down several trees along the way. Was KD a bad driver? I am going to say no. What I believe is that with his age he was proving something and the car won. Even though there was not another car involved it could have been and for that split second he didn’t think about anything but the car he was in. At the time, being 16 and to loose four people at one time was a lot. I have never experienced the death of a young person and these were people that I saw on a daily basis. Our reality was we would never see them again at school, on social media or in life. After this devastated the Eagles Landing community and I, I was afraid to drive, speed or even stop. I remember practicing and my mom constantly telling me that you have to always not only watch out for yourself but others as well. Driving has been proven to make people distracted by doing other things and the other drivers are the ones who will be punished. Being a driver for two years now I have observed a lot to understand the importance of driver education. With this knowledge, I embarked on a journey of education, determined to emerge as a better driver. I vowed to never take the privilege of driving for granted, recognizing the responsibility that comes with it.
Reducing the number of deaths first comes with stricter enforcement of traffic laws and a presence of police officers. The officers can deter reckless driving behaviors such as speeding, driving under the influence, and distracted driving. Education also plays a large factor in promoting safe driving practices. We must continue to promote the importance of wearing seat belts and obeying traffic signs. As young drivers we must adhere to the safety of not riding other peers until its time, simply because there are some of us who are not equip to handle the peer pressure that comes with driving. Ensuring driving safety among young adults requires an approach aimed at education, awareness, and being responsible. Driver education programs should be mandatory, covering not only the rules of the road but also driving techniques and the dangers of distracted driving. Parental involvement in the learning process, such as supervised practice driving hours, can further enhance skills and confidence. Responsibility and accountability among young drivers through peer-to-peer education campaigns and community initiatives can make safe driving habits. By combining these steps, we can create a safer environment for young adults behind the wheel.
To become a better and safer driver several steps can be taken beside the others listed above. Normalize practicing maintenance checks to ensure the vehicle's reliability and safety. Always maintain a safe following distance, this can help with risks on the road. We must learn to be considerate and respectful towards others including pedestrians and cyclists. Finally, again let’s get out the knowledge and encourage others to adopt safe driving habits through leading by example to always promote road safety. I truly believe if my friends could speak they would tell us to “slow down” it’s better to get there alive and to never make it because you died. Every time I start my engine, I carry their memory with me, a silent reminder of the gift of life. Though the pain of their loss will always linger, I find peace in the knowledge that their legacy lives on through my actions. Every time I navigate the streets with care and consideration, I honor their memory and strive to make a difference in their name. In this way, I transform tragedy into triumph, turning sorrow into strength as I continue to tread the path of healing and hope.